Iran tests missiles and radar systems in defiance of US sanctions

Iran carries out military exercise one day following new sanctions imposed by Trump Administration; Drill reportedly ground-to-ground missiles and radar systems; Iran insists no violation of UN ban, claims will place sanctions on “some American individuals and entities” involved in “helping and founding regional terrorist groups”

Iran held a military exercise on Saturday, testing its missile and radar systems programs, defying the United States sanctions placed on the Islamic Republic on Friday.

The military exercise in Semnan was conducted by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and included the testing of ground-to-ground missiles, radar systems, cyber warfare and reports of possible additional ballistic missile tests. Iran claims its military exercise will “showcase the power of Iran’s revolution and to dismiss the sanctions,” head of the Revolutionary Guard stating that “We are working day and night to protect Iran’s security” warning “If we see smallest misstep from the enemies, our roaring missiles will fall on their heads.”

The Trump Administration imposed new sanctions on Iran on Friday after Iran carried out a ballistic missile test on Sunday, once again violating the United Nations resolution that bans Iran from testing missiles capable of nuclear warheads. Reports released on Thursday confirmed that Iran had tested a cruise missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

Israel and the United States lobbied the United Nations Security Council to hold Iran accountable for their violations, the Council doing nothing. The Trump Administration then imposed new sanctions on Iran targeting 13 people and 12 companies and entities procuring and providing Iran with ballistic missile technologies and equipment. The sanctions deny these entities of doing business with American citizens or in the United States.

Individuals and entities from China, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates are affected by the sanctions, as they have been the backbone in working and assisting Iran’s ballistic missile program.

The Trump Administration also announced that it would impose sanctions on networks supporting Iran’s elite Quds Force of its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah.

And on Friday, the United Sates moved one of its navy destroyers close to the coast of Yemen to reportedly “guard waterways from the Iran-aligned Houthi militia.”

US National Security Adviser Michael Flynn warned Iran that “The days of turning a blind eye to Iran’s hostile and belligerent actions toward the United States and the world community are over,” clarifying that the United States will respond to any further violations and that “nothing is off the table”.

President Trump warned Iran that it is “is playing with fire” and that Iran does not “appreciate how ‘kind’ President Obama was to them. Not me!”

Iran’s Foreign Ministry responded to the sanctions, stating on Friday that they “are not compatible with America’s commitments and resolution 2231 of the U.N. Security Council that endorsed the nuclear deal reached between Iran and six powers.”

The Ministry stated that “In retaliation for the U.S. sanctions, Iran will impose legal restrictions on some American individuals and entities that were involved in helping and founding regional terrorist groups.”